Trump Warns ‘All Hell to Pay’ in Middle East if Gaza Hostages Not Released Before He Takes Office

US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday vowed there will be “all hell to pay” in the Middle East if the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas does not release all of the remaining hostages in Gaza before his inauguration next month.

“Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire World, in the Middle East – But it’s all talk, and no action!” Trump posted on the social media platform Truth Social. “Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity.”

“Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!” he added.

Hamas-led Palestinian terrorists kidnapped over 250 hostages during their invasion of and massacre across southern Israel last Oct. 7, dragging them into neighboring Gaza. There are currently 101 captives remaining in the Palestinian enclave, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead.

Calls to strike a ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas have grown over the past few days.

On Saturday, Hamas released a new propaganda video showing Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander. In the video, Alexander calls on Trump to leverage “the full power of the US” to strike a deal with Hamas to release him and the other hostages.

Following the release of the footage, Alexander’s father, Adi Alexander, appeared at a rally and urged outgoing US President Joe Biden, Trump, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to broker a deal to secure his son’s freedom. 

“Today, I speak as not just a father, but as the voice of my son and the other hostages whose lives hang in the balance,” Adi Alexander said. “Every day in captivity is an eternity of suffering for him and every hostage, both physically and emotionally.”

“President Biden, President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu, I call on all of you to act,” Alexander continued. “This is not a moment for politics or hesitation. This is a moment for courage, collaboration, and decisive actions.”

Alexander also called on Trump to make an “impact” on the ongoing hostage negotiations, arguing that the president-elect does not have to wait until he is sworn into office to make a difference. 

Members of the incoming Trump team have reportedly communicated with Alexander’s family, following the release of the hostage video. 

Then on Monday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) revealed that Israeli-American hostage Omer Neutra was killed during the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, and his body was taken by terrorists into Gaza. Neutra was initially presumed to be among the living captives.

“Omer’s life story and dedication represent the best and strongest we have built as a nation,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz posted on X/Twitter. 

Katz added that Neutra was killed during a battle at the Nir Oz kibbutz on Oct. 7. Katz did not reveal how the IDF figured out the nature of Neutra’s death. 

Hamas is still holding the bodies of three other Israeli-Americans and three Israeli-Americans believed to be alive.

Trump has reportedly pressed Israel to wrap up the ongoing war in Gaza and secure a release of the remaining hostages before his inauguration. US Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a close ally of the president-elect, told the news outlet Axios that Trump is “determined” to resolve the “hostages issue” as soon as possible. 

“Trump is more determined than ever to release the hostages and supports a ceasefire that includes a hostage deal. He wants to see it happening now,” Graham said. “I hope President Trump and the Biden administration will work together during the transition period to release the hostages and get a ceasefire.”

Biden said in a statement on Monday that American “hearts are heavy today” upon learning the news of Neutra’s death.

“Omer was just 21 years old when he was taken by Hamas. He was serving as a tank commander in an Israel Defense Forces unit that was among the first to respond to Hamas’s campaign of cruelty — risking his life to save the lives of others,” Biden said.

“During this dark hour — as our nation joins Omer’s parents, brother, and family in grieving this tragic loss — we pray to find strength and resilience,” Biden added. “To all the families of those still held hostage: We see you. We are with you, and I will not stop working to bring your loved ones back home where they belong.”

Last week, the United States announced a renewed effort to reach a ceasefire deal in Gaza. Along with Israel and Hamas, the negotiations will include American partners such as Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar.  

“Over the coming days, the United States will make another push with Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and others to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza with the hostages released and an end to the war without Hamas in power,” Biden stated on X/Twitter. 

A delegation representing Hamas arrived in Cairo on Sunday. Representatives for the terrorist group claimed that they were fielding offers for a “a ceasefire or prisoner exchange deal.” 

Netanyahu told Israel’s Channel 14 that the underlying conditions to strike an agreement with the terrorist group have “improved,” citing the recent ceasefire deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon. However, the Israeli premier insisted that the Jewish state will continue to prosecute the war in Gaza until Hamas has been eliminated.

“[I’m] ready for a ceasefire at any moment. But ending the war, I’m not ready for that, because we also need to achieve the elimination of Hamas,” Netanyahu said.

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